Punishment

Xue Xing still knelt on the floor, arguing in his defense, weeping as though his heart had been torn apart.

Xue Ye ordered, "Guards! Bring up the confessions!"

Several guards quickly entered and, at Xue Ye's command, threw the evidence before Xue Xing.

The guards then withdrew. Family scandals were not to be aired in public; Xue Ye still cared about appearances.

Xue Xing's face turned deathly pale, and even his hands trembled. Inwardly, he cursed Xue Qinghe from head to toe.

The evidence before him was recorded with absolute clarity, and quite a few people had confessed and signed their names.

Both the final instigator and the one who sheltered them pointed to him without exception.

Xue Ye demanded furiously, "What else do you have to say?"

At that, Xue Xing's lips twitched. "This..."

"Hmph! Nothing to say now, do you?! You wretch!"

"Your younger brother admits his guilt. Imperial Brother, please show mercy." Xue Xing changed his attitude swiftly and immediately confessed.

He stopped crying, stopped arguing, and stopped playing the victim—all in one smooth motion!

He had never intended to keep denying it to the bitter end. Since the emperor had summoned him, he had surely obtained evidence.

His initial denials had merely been a gamble on a slim chance.

Now that the evidence lay before him, stubbornly refusing to admit it would do him no good. He might as well confess readily; perhaps Xue Ye would even think more highly of him.

His calculations were sound. Xue Ye did indeed think more highly of him.

Not because he admired Xue Xing for daring to take responsibility, but because he respected the thickness of his skin.

How could someone so shameless resemble a prince? He was practically an old scoundrel.

"You..."

Before Xue Ye could finish speaking,